Richard Greene Johnson M.D., Ph.D.

JOHNSON, MD, PhD, Richard Greene Beloved husband, father and grandfather, was born in Harrodsburg, KY, on June 3, 1921, to Greene Johnson and Ann Stout. He died Jan. 17, 2008, in Scottsdale, AZ.
Rick earned his undergraduates degree at Centre College in Danville, KY, where he later became a member of the Board of Trustees. While serving in the Army in WWII, he attended the Univ. of Louisville Medical School and met Agnes Campbell, whom he married on Nov. 2, 1945. He continued his Army service at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, DC. In 1954, Rick started a private practice in Beverly Hills and L.A., which lasted over 50 years. During this time he was a member of the clinical faculty of the UCLA School of Medicine, president of Southern California Psychiatric Society and started the Westwood Psychiatric Hospital. He was also a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Assn. and a Designated Fellow in the American Group Psychotherapy Assn. Rick had strong opinions, was stubborn and blunt and willing to go against the current psychiatric beliefs. He was honest, ethical, creative, and ahead of his time - a pioneer in group psychotherapy. This was apparent in his founding of Westwood Community Methodist Church Mental Health Clinic, which was the first of its kind. Rick retired to Scottsdale, where he and Agnes enjoyed their golden years. He wrote and published "Considering Psychotherapy and God," which gives many of his concepts, including that therapy addresses emotional issues rather than mental problems. Rick also enjoyed golf, tennis and hunting. He was a member of the Riviera Country Club and maintained a cottage in Brown County, IN, near his son Craig. He is survived by his wife Agnes, his children Carole and her husband Jim Bultema, Richard Johnson Jr. and his wife Barbara, Craig Johnson and Holly Johnson, as well as eight grandchildren. A memorial service will be held, 2 p.m. Sat., Mar. 15, at Westwood United Methodist Church, 10497 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. Parking off-site. For directions, call 310-474-4511 or visit www.westwoodumc.org. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to a Centre College scholarship fund in Richard's name. Checks payable to Centre College, citing "In memory of Dr. Richard Johnson." Mail to Development Office, Centre College, Danville, KY 40422.